Santa Cruz, California
Miami, Florida
University Park, Pennsylvania
Middletown, Pennsylvania
Indianapolis, Indiana
East Lansing, Michigan
Posted: 23-Dec-25
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $11,017 - 14,731/ Month
Years of Experience:
Preferred Education:
The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in civil engineering, with a focus on reviewing complex site development engineering and geology projects. They should demonstrate a solid understanding of stormwater management principles, road and transportation engineering, sanitary sewer design, site grading design, geotechnical engineering, and engineering geology principles, with the ability to review and approve technical reports and plans for residential, commercial, and subdivision developments.
This candidate will have proven leadership abilities, as they will supervise a team of engineers and support staff, providing technical guidance and direction. Excellent communication skills are critical, as they will work closely with other departments, agencies, developers and the public, ensuring projects comply with federal, state, and local regulations. Experience managing budgets, preparing reports, and solving complex engineering challenges will further enhance their ability to thrive in this role.
Additionally, the ideal candidate will hold a valid California Civil Engineer Professional Engineering certificate of registration. A solid history of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering; experience participating in the permit review process as a private consultant and public agency reviewer is highly desirable.
THE JOB: Under general direction, plan, direct, coordinate, schedule, review and evaluate the work of a section of the Public Works Department or Planning Department; review and analyze technical and engineering issues; and perform other duties as required. Positions in this classification work directly for an Assistant Director and are typically responsible for managing a section in the Public Works or Planning Departments. This classification is the first full supervisory and management level classification in the professional and technical engineering series. Incumbents supervise a staff of engineers, paraprofessional engineers, engineering aides, maintenance staff and other support staff. In addition to supervising the work of staff, incumbents perform the most difficult and complex engineering work or serve as the technical expert in reviewing and analyzing engineering issues.
The option for remote work may be available based on the type of work and operational needs, following the successful completion of the probationary period.
The current vacancy is in the Public Works Traffic Engineering section of the Department of Community Development and Infrastructure. This group is responsible for reviewing and analyzing the traffic components of development proposals and designing transportation plans and projects. Projects/activities also include traffic signal design, complete street design, prepare traffic control plans, and prepare transportation planning documents. This position supervises 5 technical and professional engineering staff who are responsible for performing analysis on traffic studies, signal timing, traffic safety reviews, traffic engineering designs, speed surveys and signal and stop sign warrants. The work also includes preparing traffic control plans, striping and signage plans and reviewing CHP collision data.
During the life of the eligible list, the list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies in the following sections: Permit Engineering Group, Road Operations and Encroachments, Water/Wastewater (Sanitation), Recycling and Solid Waste, Construction Management, and Flood Control.
For more information, go to: Employment Opportunities - Santa Cruz County
THE REQUIREMENTS:
Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college with a major in civil, traffic, environmental, or sanitary engineering; or biological, chemical, physical or soil science; or a related field; AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible engineering experience that demonstrates possession and application of the knowledge and abilities listed below. A master’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of the required engineering experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
License: Possession of a valid California class C driver license.
Certificate: For some assignments: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.
Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions; high levels of noise; dust; strong, unpleasant odors; heights, such as on bridges; working alone in isolated areas; the possibility of contact with potentially hostile people; cramped workspaces; and bodily injuries. Some positions may be required to occasionally lift manhole covers, soil samples and environmental process equipment. Potential exists for exposure to toxic materials such as landfill gas, sewer gas and discarded household or commercial chemicals.
Other Special Requirements: Availability to work irregular hours, including responding to emergency calls.
Knowledge: For all assignments, thorough knowledge of current Federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations relating to the specific program assignment; some knowledge of principles and practices of supervision and training; principles of public administration, including organization, management, and budgeting; and application of data processing to Public Works or Planning programs. For Civil and Construction Engineering assignments, thorough knowledge of principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to public agencies; strengths, properties, and uses of materials in engineering construction; working knowledge of methods of design and/or construction and inspection for public works or planning projects including streets, storm drains and sanitation systems, structures and bike paths; principles of traffic engineering and methods for properly regulating vehicular and pedestrian traffic flows (may be required for some positions); hydrology and hydraulic design engineering; some knowledge of wastewater engineering (some positions.) For Solid Waste Engineering assignment, thorough knowledge of landfill and solid waste engineering relative to operating landfill and transfer stations; some knowledge of strengths, properties, and uses of materials in engineering construction. For Water and Wastewater Engineering assignments, thorough knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in the operation, maintenance, and repair of wastewater collection, treatment, and transmission facilities; safety practices observed in sanitation operations; and governmental regulations related to the treatment and distribution of drinking water and the treatment and disposal of domestic wastewater. For Flood Control Engineering assignment, thorough knowledge of watershed management; flood control activities, including flood modeling; governmental regulations and permit processing for flood control improvement projects and routine maintenance activities.
Ability to: Plan, organize, supervise, train and evaluate the work of professional and technical staff; Schedule work, determine priorities and make decisions to resolve difficult problems; Analyze technical and administrative problems and develop and implement solutions; Coordinate section activities with other sections and departments; Understand, interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, rules and regulations; Supervise the preparation of engineering designs, plans and specifications in the construction and modification of public works facilities, for some positions; Plan, organize and administer an extensive sanitation maintenance operation for some positions; Supervise the inspection and monitoring of contractor compliance with approved engineering plans and specifications in the construction and modification of public works facilities; Establish and maintain effective working relationships; Effectively apply traffic engineering principles in establishing and maintaining safe and efficient vehicular and traffic flow patterns (may be required for some positions); Effectively manage and administer a flood control program including project and maintenance regulatory permitting (maybe required for some positions); Perform difficult and complex engineering work; Prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports; Speak effectively before groups; Prepare budgets; Learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer.